The Bachelor's Bed Read Online Free

His gaze whipped back to Lani, and there was no mistaking his recklessness now. “It’s not all that difficult an issue,” he assured her. “I’m an open book. Truly.”
    Lani let out a little laugh, for he was the most closed-mouthed person she’d ever known. And also, something else bothered her—why her? Surely he could have asked anyone and got a resounding oh boy, pretty please, yes!
    Her silence must have scared him. “All right.” He plowed his fingers through his hair as he turned in a slow circle. “You want to know me.” He faced her and shrugged. “It’s simple, really. I’m…technically inclined. I don’t drink or do drugs…I like fast, sleek, sexy cars…and I’m fairly certain I don’t snore.”
    When the phone rang yet again, his words came faster. “I like classical music, smart dogs and spicy Mexican food. And I always put the seat down. Now, ” he added tightly over the annoying phone, “will you agree?”
    Lani would never know what came over her, whether it was the unexpected flash of lonelinessshe’d experienced that morning, or just the deep, inexplicable yearning she felt for this man.
    Risk, she reminded herself.
    Help him with his great project. Help him help you out of the rut your life has become. “Okay,” she whispered. Because that sounded weak, she licked her lips and simply, confidently said, “Yes.”
    Surprise flitted across his features and he held himself very still, clearly unsure if he’d heard correctly. “Did you just say yes?”
    â€œYes.” Oh, God, she couldn’t believe she was going to do this. “I mean, what the heck. I love spicy Mexican food, too. Let’s do it.”

2
    T HE TENSION DRAINED from Colin’s shoulders and while he didn’t quite smile, some of the strain left the lines around his mouth. “Well,” he said, obviously relieved.
    â€œYes. Well.” Lani grabbed her broom and laughed again, a little giddily. “I feel swept off my feet.”
    â€œFor pretend,” he clarified, eyes sharp on hers. “You feel swept off your feet for pretend. ”
    Darn, she had a pesky habit of forgetting that. “Right.”
    He opened his mouth to say something, but Carmen stuck her face against the glass again, looking like a troll doll as she scrunched up her features to see better. Colin held up his finger for another minute.
    Carmen rolled her eyes and disappeared.
    â€œUm…Mr. West?”
    He smiled at Lani for the first time, and wow, it was a stunner. “I think under the circumstances,” he said, “you can call me Colin.”
    â€œOkay.” Lani smiled back, feeling a little dazed. What had she done? Had she really agreed to marrythis wild, untamed creature just because her life needed a boost? “I should clean now.”
    â€œOkay.” He frowned, plucking again at his wet shirt. “Ouch.”
    â€œYeah, the cleaner is starting to burn a bit,” Lani admitted regretfully, shifting uncomfortably herself. “I’m sorry.”
    Without another word, Colin pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it aside.
    Oh, man. Oh, man. He was perfect. Wide sinewy shoulders, hard chest, flat belly, lean hips, and the most amazing eyes that drew her right in… She was getting light-headed, and it most definitely wasn’t from the cleaner fumes.
    Colin ran a hand over his bare chest with obvious relief. “Better.”
    Better, Lani agreed silently. There was a solid thunk behind her. Carmen had banged her forehead on the glass attempting to get a better look.
    The phone rang again and Colin sighed resolutely. “I have to get that.” He looked as though he’d rather face a firing squad. “But I’ll be back. We have to go over some things.”
    Lani nodded, wondering if some of those things involved her wifely duties.
    Now why did just the